Nuclear Engineer salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A nuclear engineer earns a median of $133,970 a year ($64.41 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $140,420. About 15,280 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $133,970
- Gross pay
- $5,152.69
- Federal income tax
- −$803.34
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$319.47
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$74.71
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,955.17
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $133,970
- Federal
- $20,887
- FICA
- $10,249
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $102,834
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Aerospace Engineer: $134,960
- Electronics Engineer: $130,220
- Chemical Engineer: $125,040
- Petroleum Engineer: $144,910
- Engineer: $122,930
- Electrical Engineer: $120,630
- Health and Safety Engineer: $115,160
- Materials Engineer: $112,860
BLS occupation: Nuclear Engineers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 17-2161). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $64.41; the average is $67.51.
What is the salary range for a nuclear engineer?
The bottom 10% earn under $92,960 and the top 10% earn over $196,290 a year.
How much is $133,970 after taxes?
About $102,834 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $92,879 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.